Tapping apparatus for transmitting electrical energy

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a tapping apparatus for transmitting electrical energy from a, preferably spatially fixed, busbar to a tapping device which can be moved along the busbar or is also spatially fixed, comprising at least one connection housing, the busbar being mechanically connected or connectable to the tapping device by means of the connection housing, and a current tapping apparatus which comprises sliding contact elements for collecting electrical energy from the busbar, the current tapping apparatus being mechanically rigidly connected to the connection housing, and furthermore the connection housing comprising at least one base support, on which at least two control circuit boards are mounted, or said two control circuit boards themselves forming the base support.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to German Patent Application102018103669.8, filed Feb. 19, 2018; which is incorporated as if fullyrewritten herein. This is a Divisional United States Utility PatentApplication divided from U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.15/921,739; filed Mar. 15, 2018; which is incorporated as if fullyrewritten herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OF DEVELOPMENT

N/A

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

N/A

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR ASA TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB)

N/A

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINTINVENTOR

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tapping apparatus for transmittingelectrical energy from a busbar to a tapping device which can be movedalong the busbar or which also may be spatially fixed.

Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR1.97 and 1.98

N/A

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The busbar may be in particular an arrangement of a plurality ofelongate electrical conductors which are laid in parallel with oneanother and are mounted either individually or together in additionalinsulation elements, e.g. plastics bodies, for example. The busbar mayalso be fixedly mounted in a manufacturing room, for example on thefloor thereof, without the busbar moving relative to the floor duringoperation.

For example, the individual electrical conductors may be guided in theshape of a rail, preferably also along a rail or in the form of a railguide.

In order to constantly, i.e. permanently, supply a manufacturing robotwith electrical energy, for example, it is therefore often necessary toinstall a tapping apparatus between the above-mentioned busbar and amanufacturing robot of this kind to be electrically powered or anotherelectrically powered element.

For example, the tapping apparatus can be moved in the main extensiondirection of the busbar, preferably together with a robot of this kind,though while being in constant electrical contact with the busbar whensaid apparatus is moving.

Alternatively, the two components may also be spatially fixed.

In other words, the tapping apparatus therefore makes it possible toreliably supply the robot or the other electrical element withelectrical energy, irrespective of the position of the robot in relationto the busbar, provided that the tapping apparatus is reliablyelectrically contacting the busbar.

However, this requires an apparatus which establishes an electricallyconductive contact between the busbar and the tapping apparatus. Thetapping apparatus according to the invention, proposed at the outset, isused for this purpose.

The above tapping apparatus for transmitting electrical energy from a,preferably spatially fixed, busbar to a tapping apparatus which can bemoved along the busbar or is also spatially fixed, comprises at leastone connection housing, the busbar being mechanically connected orconnectable to the tapping apparatus by means of the connection housing,and comprises a current tapping apparatus which comprises a slidingcontact elements for collecting electrical energy from the busbar, thecurrent tapping apparatus being mechanically rigidly connected to theconnection housing.

According to the invention, the connection housing comprises at leastone base support, on which at least two control circuit boards aremounted, or said two control circuit boards themselves form the basesupport.

The base support may be in the form of a base sheet and consist of anelectrically insulating material on which electrical lines are laid.Plastics or ceramics material may be used for this purpose.

The connection apparatus also comprises a current tapping apparatus,which in turn comprises at least one sliding contact element forcollecting electrical energy from the busbar.

The sliding contact elements extend through the base support andcomprise, on a side of the base support facing away from the busbar, acontacting region by means of which at least one circuit board of theconnection apparatus and/or at least one circuit board of the tappingapparatus can be electrically conductively contacted.

For example, the sliding contact elements are in the form of slidingpush-on elements, and therefore the connection housing can be pushedonto the busbar without using tools.

Within the meaning of the invention, a sliding push-on element may be anelement which can be arranged on a line of the busbar from onedirection, a plug-in connection between the busbar, or even on one ofthe lines themselves, and the connection housing being establishedduring the positioning process. The plug-in connection may be in theform of a plug-and-place connection.

The plug-in connection may be in the form of a clip connection. A clipconnection of this kind may comprise a snap-fit element (the clip) thatencloses the periphery of a line of the busbar once said element hassnapped into place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEW OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and embodiments can be found in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1A to 1D are various perspective views of an embodiment of thetapping apparatus 100 described herein.

FIG. 2A and 2B are various perspective views of an embodiment of acurrent tapping apparatus or tapping apparatus 100 described herein, andof an embodiment of a herein described combi clip of the tappingapparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective sectional view through the tappingapparatus 100 described herein.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of light-guiding elements of thetapping apparatus 100.

FIG. 5A and 5B show tapping apparatuses 100 connected in series, suchthat an embodiment of a tapping apparatus system 1000 described hereinis shown in each of FIG. 5A and 5B in a schematic perspective view.

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of two control circuit boards 100Aof a tapping apparatus 100 described herein.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of information and circuit connections amonga 24 V terminal of the busbar 1 and a 48 V terminal of the busbar 1.

These illustrations are provided to assist in the understanding of theexemplary embodiments of the method of forming a moldable splint andmaterials related thereto described in more detail below and should notbe construed as unduly limiting the specification. In particular, therelative spacing, positioning, sizing and dimensions of the variouselements illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale and mayhave been exaggerated, reduced or otherwise modified for the purpose ofimproved clarity. Those of ordinary skill in the art will alsoappreciate that a range of alternative configurations have been omittedsimply to improve the clarity and reduce the number of drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to at least one embodiment, the mechanical connection betweenthe connection housing is established, in particular only, by pushing(clipping) the sliding contact connection, in particular the clipconnection, onto each of the lines.

The connection between the connection housing and the busbar is, forexample, free of any additional fastening elements, such screws, boltsor clamping elements.

Alternatively or additionally, the tapping apparatus described hereincomprises a combi clip, the combi clip being mechanically detachablyengaged with a part of outer periphery of the connection housing inorder to establish a mechanical connection between the connectionhousing and a connection support. For example, the connector supportsupports and guides the busbar in a mechanically stable manner.

Components, preferably all remaining components, of the tappingapparatus are there movably or non-movably mounted on the connectionhousing. For example, when a robot of this kind is moving, the entirecontacting apparatus, including the connection support, moves in themain extension direction of the busbar together with the robot.

According to at least one embodiment, the combi clip is mechanicallydetachably engaged with a part of the outer periphery of the connectionhousing, and a mechanical connection between the connection housing anda connection support is thus established such that a cavity, which isopen on both sides in the direction of travel of the connection housingand through which the busbar is guided, is formed between a wall of thecombi clip and the current tapping apparatus.

The direction of travel extends preferably in parallel with a mainextension direction of the busbar.

The combi clip is preferably formed of an electrically insulatingmaterial, for example a plastics material. In this connection, it isconceivable for the material of the combi clip to be a single-componentor multiple-component plastics material that is produced, for example,by means of an injection moulding method. Alternatively, the combi clipmay also be formed of a ceramics material either completely or in part.Although ceramics materials are relatively expensive to purchase, theyalso have higher thermal insulation.

Alternatively or additionally, the entire combi clip, or parts thereof,may also be produced by means of 30 printing method. This hasincidentally been found to be advantageous as a wide range ofrequirements must be placed on the combi clip, for example with regardto its size, thickness and dimensioning, in the field of contactingapparatuses for transmitting electrical energy. Indeed, the combi clippreferably also defines a distance between the connection housing andthe busbar in at least one direction.

It is also conceivable for the combi clip to be formed having metal orinorganic parts in the micrometre or nanometre range in addition to theabove-mentioned electrically insulating material, either at least inpart or completely. This is because it has been found that nanoparticlesof this kind also give the combi clip greater strength, inter alia.Indeed, the combi clips preferably the only mechanical connectionbetween the connection housing and the connection support.

As shown non-exhaustively below, the following 3D printing technologiesmay be used to produce the connection housing and/or the combi clip:

1. The FDM Method (Fused Deposition Modelling)

Alternative names: Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), Fused LayerModelling (FLM)

The method describes applying (extruding) a material layer by layerthrough a hot nozzle. The consumable is in the form of a long wire(referred to as a filament) on a reel and is pushed through the feedunit into a printing head where it is melted and applied to a printingbed. The printing head and/or printing bed can be moved in threedirections. Plastics layers can thus be gradually applied one on top ofthe other.

2. The SLS method (Selective Laser Sintering)

In contrast with the sintering method, in which powdered substances arefused together by applying heat, in the SLS method this takes placeselectively by means of a laser (alternatively also an electron beam orinfrared beam).Only a certain portion of the powder is thus fusedtogether.

For this purpose, a thin powder layer is constantly dispensed from thecoating unit onto the printing bed. The laser (or other energy source)is then directed at individual positions on the powder layer in apinpoint manner in order to form the first layer of the printing data.In the process, the powder is fused or surface-fused and thenre-solidifies by means of mild cooling. The non-fused powder remainsaround the sintered regions and is used as a supporting material. Once alayer has solidified, the printing bed sinks by a fraction of amillimetre. The coating unit then travels over the printing bed andapplies the next powder layer. The second layer of the printing data isthen sintered by the laser (or another energy source). Athree-dimensional object is thus formed layer by layer.

3. Three-Dimensional Printing (3DP)

The 3DP method works in a very a similar manner to selective lasersintering, although instead of a directed energy source, a printing headtravels over the powder. Said printing head deposits tiny droplets ofbinder onto the underlying powder layers, which are thus fused together.This method is otherwise identical to the SLS method.

4. Stereolithography (SLA)

Instead of a plastics wire or powdered printing material, liquid resins,or what are referred to as photopolymers, are used in thestereolithography method. They are hardened layer by layer by means ofUV radiation and thus produce three-dimensional objects. For thispurpose, the construction platform is gradually lowered in the resintank. There are also variants (what are referred to as polyjet methods)without the need for a tank containing liquid resin. For this purpose,an epoxy resin is applied drop by drop from a nozzle and immediatelyhardened by means of a UV laser.

5. Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)

Alternative name: Layer Laminated Manufacturing (LLM)

The method is based on neither chemical reactions, nor a thermalprocess. By means of a separating tool (e.g. a knife or carbon dioxidelaser), a film or sheet (e.g. paper) is cut on the contour and one layeris adhesively bonded to the other. A layered object made of adhesivelybonded films lying one on top of the other is thus formed by loweringthe construction platform.

According to at least one embodiment, the tapping apparatus describedherein comprises at least one power plug housing, the power plug housingbeing mechanically attached to the busbar and/or the tapping device fromthe outside such that a mechanical connection between the connectionhousing and the busbar is established by means of the power plughousing. For example, an electrical connection between the connectionhousing and the busbar and/or the connection housing may also beestablished by the power plug housing in addition to the mechanicalconnection.

It is conceivable for the power plug housing to be designed as aline-end element that mechanically rigidly, though preferablydetachably, connects the tapping device and its electrical conductors,at one of their ends, to the connection housing. In addition, the powerplug housing may be detachably or non-detachably mechanically fixed to amounting surface of the connection housing. Following the fixingprocess, one end of the busbar is therefore mechanically, and forexample also electrically conductively, connected to the busbar by meansof the connection housing. The mounting surface is therefore preferablypart of the outer surface of the connection housing. For example, a mainextension plane of the mounting surface extends in parallel with themain extension direction and/or main extension plane of the busbar.

For example, the above-described tapping apparatus may comprise two“connection apparatuses”, one connection apparatus, the above-describedcombi clip, being used to connect the connection support to theconnection housing, and another connection apparatus, theabove-described power plug housing, being used to connect the tappingdevice to the connection housing. However, the tapping device may alsobe identical to the power plug housing and the elements installedtherein. However, it is also possible for the tapping apparatus to be anadditional connection component that is electrically conductivelymounted on the power plug housing. Said connection component may be amanufacturing robot or part thereof.

In at least one embodiment, the combi clip described herein, i.e. theconnection element described herein, between the connection housing andthe busbar is produced at least substantially by means of a snap-fitprocess of the combi clip into regions of the connection housing and/orthe connection support intended therefor, instead of by means of screwapparatuses and/or external retaining and gripping apparatuses.

In this respect, the combi clip described herein makes it possible toestablish a particularly individual, exchangeable and quick connectionbetween the connection housing and the busbar. It is thus no longernecessary to make complex modifications and also to carry out complexfastening work for fastening the busbar to the connection housing, orvice versa. This therefore allows not only a particularly simplemounting process, but also a considerable cost saving and a wide varietyin the serial production of the individual elements and their fields ofapplication.

According to at least one embodiment, the tapping apparatus fortransmitting electrical energy from a, preferably spatially fixed,busbar to a tapping device which can be moved along the busbar or isalso spatially fixed, comprises at least one connect on housing, thebusbar being mechanically connected or connectable to the tappingapparatus by means of the connection housing, there being a currenttapping apparatus which comprises sliding contact elements forcollecting electrical energy from the busbar, the current tappingapparatus being mechanically rigidly connected to the connectionhousing, the connection housing comprising at least one base support, onwhich at least two control circuit boards are mounted, or said twocontrol circuit boards themselves forming the base support.

The tapping apparatus and the tapping device may be distinct from oneanother.

According to at least one embodiment, the mechanical connection betweenthe connection housing and the connection support is established merelyby clipping the combi clip onto the part of the outer periphery of theconnection housing. The connection between the combi clip and theconnection support is also preferably established merely by clipping thecombi clip on.

At least one of the connections (between, firstly, the combi clip andthe connection housing and, secondly, the combi clip together with theconnection support) is therefore free of any kind of fastening elementsother than the combi clip, such as screws, bolts or clamping elements.

In other words, in an embodiment of this kind the combi clip itselfforms its own retaining and fixing means.

According to at least one embodiment, the combi clip comprises at leastone upper clip element on an upper side in order to be clipped onto theconnection housing, the upper clip element being designed such that saidelement, by itself, is attached to the outer periphery of the connectionhousing by compressive force being applied towards the connectionhousing and/or a free end of the upper clip element is connected to afastening region of the connection housing that is intended for anduniquely associated with said end.

For example, the upper clip element projects away from a horizontalmounting plane of the combi clip in at least one directional component.The mounting plane of the combi clip may be formed entirely or at leastin part by a, for example flat, sheet of material. The mounting plane ofthe clip element is, for example, in parallel with the mounting plane ofthe connection housing, on which the power plug housing is arranged.

For example, the upper clip element is formed on an edge of the mountingsurface of the combi clip. In addition, it is conceivable for the upperclip element to also end completely flush with the mounting surface ofthe combi clip at the edge thereof. Specifically, this ensures that theupper clip element therefore attaches itself to the outer surface fromthe outside purely by pressure being applied (pressure of the connectionhousing towards the combi clip) preferably without using additionaltools and, for example, snaps into place.

However, in addition to an upper clip element of this kind arranged atthe edge, the combi clip described herein may also comprise at leastone, though preferably also a plurality of, further upper clip elementsalong the mounting surface of said combi clip, which clip elements arearranged on the mounting surface so as to be remote from the edge of themounting surface and to project away therefrom.

According to at least one embodiment, the combi clip comprises at leastone lower clip element, on a lower side which is opposite the upperside, in order to be fastened in an opening of the connection support,the lower clip element being designed such that said element, by itself,engages with an edge of the opening in the connection support bycompressive force being applied to the combi clip towards the connectionsupport.

In at least one embodiment, the connection support therefore comprisesat least one opening or depression, in the interior of which at leastone upper clip element of the combi clip can snap into place. Said clipmovement, and thus snap-fit movement, of the lower clip element isdesigned in the same way as the above-described upper clip element, onlywith the difference that the upper clip element and the lower clipelement each project away from the mounting surface of the combi clip indifferent directions and are arranged on different sides of the mountingsurface.

According to at least one embodiment, the lower clip element hooks tothe opening in the connection support.

In this respect, it is conceivable for the lower clip element to be inthe form of a hook in the same way as the upper clip element, forexample. This means that a hook of this kind comprises a hooking elementat least at the end thereof. Indeed, it has been shown that a hookingaction of this kind allows particularly simple and automatic hookingwithout using tools.

According to at least one embodiment, the power plug housing is open onone side at least in part, the power plug housing comprising at leastone power plug clip element on said side, and the power plug clipelement being designed such that said element, by itself, is attached tothe outer periphery of the connection element by compressive force beingapplied towards the connection housing and/or a free end of the powerplug clip element is connected to a further fastening region, also ofthe connection housing, that is intended for and uniquely associatedwith said end, at least some of the preferably spatially fixed busbarthus being arranged between the connection housing and an inner wall ofthe power plug housing.

In an embodiment of this kind, it is therefore conceivable, for exampleinstead of the power plug housing being arranged on a mounting surfaceof the connection housing, for said power plug housing to engage, bymeans of at least one power plug clip element arranged at the edge, intofastening points of the connection housing intended therefor.

According to at least one embodiment, the connection housing comprisesat least one electrically conductive sliding contact element, saidsliding contact element being electrically conductively connectedfirstly to an electrical circuit board of the connection housing andsecondly to the busbar by means of sliding contact.

In particular, the sliding contact element may be in the form of aflexural spring. In addition, each sliding contact element may also havetwo or more bends, by means of which electrically conductive contactwith a line of the busbar is established in the above manner.

By means of the bent portion, the presence of which is given by way ofexample, and the preferably acute angle thereof in relation to the lineof the busbar, it is therefore made possible for the base element to beinstalled and mounted on the connection housing and on the circuit boardunder pressure, i.e. by the squeezing of the spring, such that permanentmechanical and preferably electrical contact is established between thesliding contact element and the busbar and/or the tapping device.

According to at least one embodiment, the sliding contact element isformed in one piece. This may mean that the sliding contact element isformed as a single, continuous element, for example formed of anelectrically conductive metal. The sliding contact element may thereforebe free of connection grooves and/or connection screws. In particular,the sliding contact element may be formed from a single metal piece in asingle manufacturing process.

According to at least one embodiment, the control circuit boards areeach designed and intended to drive at least one electric motor and/orto control said electric motor in a closed- loop and/or open-loopmanner.

A circuit board (also referred to as a printed circuit board or PCB) isa support for electronic components. It is used for mechanical fasteningand electrical connection. Practically every piece of electronicequipment contains one or more circuit boards.

Circuit boards consist of electrically insulating material havingconductive connections (conductor tracks) adhered thereto.Fiber-reinforced plastic is typically used as the insulating material;laminated paper is used in cheaper equipment. The conductor tracks arein most cases etched from a thin layer of copper, typically 35 μm or 70μm. The components are soldered onto pads or into lands. Said componentsare thus, at the same time, electrically connected to and mechanicallyheld on these footprints. Larger components may also be fastened to thecircuit board by means of cable ties, adhesive or screwing.

According to at least one embodiment, the control circuit boards eachhave a voltage pick-up of at least 16 volts and at most 56 volts,preferably at least 24 volts and at most 48 volts. The control circuitboards are preferably also designed and intended for this voltage rangeonly. For example, the connection housing comprises an overcurrentprotection circuit which ensures that the motor is protected from highervoltages. Alternatively or additionally, a motor of this kind whichcannot be operated above the maximum voltage, for instance because themotor would burn out, may also be installed.

For example, the busbar comprises a 24 V line and a 48 V line, a GNDline as an earth connection being arranged for each of the two lines. Inthis example, the busbar may comprise a total of four lines that areeach arranged in parallel with one another.

It is conceivable for one of the two lines (24 V or 48 V) to be used tosupply the motor or the control circuit boards with voltage, while theother line is used, by means of through plated holes, in the basesupport as a terminal energy supply for the power plug housing and auseful object connected thereto (e.g. a robot).

For example, the electric motor is a motor that drives the entireconnection apparatus along the busbar by means of a drive pinion. Thedrive pinion may be mechanically operatively connected to a meshingrack. The meshing rack may extend in parallel with the busbar. The drivepinion may thus be part of the connection apparatus.

According to at least one embodiment, the sliding contact elements areformed by a first number of first contact elements for supplying powerat at least one first voltage of one of the motor controller circuitboards, and by a second number of contact elements for supplying powerat at least one second voltage of another motor controller circuitboard, at least two contact element groups thus being formed. Theindividual contact elements in each group are arranged one after theother in a direction of travel of the connection housing, and each groupseparately supplies a motor controller circuit board uniquely assignedthereto with electrical power, in particular contact elements beingformed as an earth connection (GND terminal) between the contactelements and the contact elements in a direction perpendicular to thedirection of travel.

According to at least one embodiment, the current tapping apparatuscomprises at least one, preferably exactly one, further sliding contactelement, it being possible to supply at least one of the motorcontroller circuit boards with electrical power by means of said furthersliding contact element.

According to at least one embodiment, the further sliding contactelement is arranged be. tween two of the sliding contact elements of thecontact elements in the direction of travel.

According to at least one embodiment, the contact elements of the firstgroup are 48 V contact terminals, and the contact elements of the secondgroup are 24 V contact terminals.

For example, the further sliding contact element is electricallyconductively connected to one of the two control circuit boards. Inparticular, the further sliding contact element is used to enlarge acontact surface for one or both of the circuit boards. It is thuspossible to supply current to one or both motors in an improved manner.

According to at least one embodiment, the further sliding contactelement is designed as a 48-volt or 24-volt voltage pick-up and/or iselectrically conductively connected to a 48 V or 24 V voltage pick-up ofone of the control circuit boards.

According to at least one embodiment, the two control circuit boards arearranged one above the other, i.e. stacked, in a direction perpendicularto the direction of travel.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a tapping apparatus systemfor transmitting electrical energy from a, preferably spatially fixed,busbar to a tapping apparatus which can be moved along the busbar or isalso spatially fixed, at least two tapping apparatuses according to atleast one of the above-claimed embodiments being arranged one after theother on a connection apparatus along the busbar.

In principle, the following, non-exhaustive list of materials may beused as materials for the connection housing and/or the combi clip.

Material group Modification SHORE D ABS 75-93 ABS + 30 M % GF 62-68ABS/TPE 46 ABS/TPU 58-68 ASA 75 ETFE 60-78 EVA 17-45 PA 11 PA 11 + 23 M% GF 70 PA 12 PA 12 (normal humidity) 75-78 PA 12 + 30 M % GF (normal 75PA 612 73 PA 6 PA 6 (normal humidity) 52-77 PA 6 + 30 M % GF 48-80 PA6 + 30 M.-% GF (dry) 84 PA 66 PA 66 + 30 M % GF 77-82 PA 66 + 30 M % GB81 PA 66 + 30 M % MX 75-82 PAEK 86-90 PAEK + 30 M % GF 90 PBI 99 PBT79-86 PBT + 30 M % GF 53-85 PBT + 30 M % GX 54 PC 51-85 PC + 30 M % GF65-72 PC + 30 M % GX 70 PCTFE 76-80 PE-HD 56-69 PE-LD 39-83 PE-LLD 38-60PE-MD 45-60 PE-UHMW 60-65 PEEK 83-88 PEI 88-90 PEK 87 PEK + 30 M % GF 90PET PET + 30 M % GF 63-65 PMMA 52-85 PMMA + 30 M % GF 55 POM 52-83 pp59-77 PP + 30 M % GF 62-80 PP + 30 M % CD 74-75 PP + 30 M % MF 60-74PP + 30 M % P 65 PP + 30 M % CaC03 55-70 PP/EPDM 40 PS 78-80 PTFE 50-90PUR 20-84 PVC-U 74-94 PVC-U/NBR 58-74 PVC-P 42-77 PVC-C 82 PVDF 46-79SAN 45-85 SMMA 72-82 TPC 28-82 TPE 48-78 TPE/PTFE 56 TPE-E TPE-E + 30 M% GF 55 TPO 16-70 TPS 60 TPU TPU + 30 M % GF 74-80 TPV 40-51 where: GF:glass fibres GB: glass spheres MF: mineral fibres MX: unspecifiedmineral filling GX: unspecified glass filling CD: carbon powder P:unspecified filling powder

According to at least one embodiment, a material Shore D hardness valueof the combi clip is greater than a material Shore D hardness value ofthe connection housing by at least two, preferably at least four,hardness values. The two components may be formed of the same basicmaterial, into which plasticisers or hardeners are mixed. Plasticisersand hardeners of this kind can also be found in the table above.

This not only makes it easier to snap the combi clip onto the connectionhousing, but also guarantees stable guiding of the combi clip along thebusbar.

For example, the combi clip is formed of ABS and the connection housingis formed of PA6, as can be seen in the table above.

However, it is also possible for the combi clip and the connectionhousing to be formed of the same material. The material may be PC orABS.

A plurality of additional bodies, in particular substantially sphericalbodies, such as glass microspheres, may be incorporated into the combiclip and/or the connection housing (or at least into a lower layerthereof) at least in portions. In this way, the mechanical load-bearingcapacity is increased, and the coefficient of friction, on a guide forthe connection housing, is also considerably reduced.

It is thus possible for the surface structure of the material to beformed of a plurality of spherical elements. Said elements, inparticular spherical elements, are advantageously made of a materialthat is selected from a group of materials. Said material contains glassor ceramics spheres and the like, though preferably unipolar fillers.

Said additional bodies, for example spherical bodies, advantageouslyeach have cross sections or volumes that have a diameter of less than 1mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm, and particularly preferably less than0.01 mm.

A percentage by weight of said spherical bodies is advantageously morethan 5%, preferably more than 10%.and particularly preferably more than20% in relation to the overall material.

Substantially spherical bodies, e.g. elliptical bodies, may also beprovided instead of spherical bodies.

As seen in the accompanying Figures, FIG. 1A is a schematic perspectiveview of an embodiment of a tapping apparatus 100 according to theinvention for transmitting electrical energy from a preferably spatiallyfixed bus-bar 1 to a tapping device 2 which can be moved along thebusbar 1 or is also spatially fixed.

From FIG. 1A it can be seen that the tapping apparatus 100 firstcomprises a connection housing 10, the connection housing 10, togetherwith a busbar 1, being mechanically connected to a tapping device 2.

However, the tapping device 2 is only shown as dashed lines in FIG. 1such that the various plug elements are not concealed by the tappingdevice 2.

Indeed, as shown in FIG. 18, the tapping apparatus 100 preferablycomprises a base support 10A, on which two control circuit boards 100Aare mechanically rigidly, though preferably detachably, mounted. Thebase support 10A may be a DI/DO circuit board.

As shown in both FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the base support 10A thereforecomprises two DI plugs and two DO plugs. The base sheet 10A mayadditionally comprise two motor plugs. Said motor plugs may also beintegrated into the control circuit boards 100A. For example, eachcontrol circuit board 100A comprises a motor plug.

In addition, light guides 17 can be seen in FIG. 1A, which are means forvisually inspecting the functioning and state of the individualcomponents of the control circuit boards 100A and/or of the base support10A from the outside.

In this respect, the views in FIG. 1A and 18 differ merely in that, forreasons of simplification, neither the tapping apparatus 2 nor theconnection housing 10 is shown such that the control circuit boards100A, preferably arranged one above the other, and the base support 10A,arranged between the two control circuit boards 100A, are freelyvisible.

The tapping apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1A to 18 can also be seen inFIG. 1C, the connection housing 10 being shown completely closed as faras the plug openings for the plugs 1SA to 178.

Plugs 15A1 and 15A2, 011 and 012 and plugs 15C1 and 15C2 as DO plugs canbe seen. The plugs 17A and 178 are each plugs for motors that are to beconnected. The plug 16 is a CAN/DAISY plug for connecting a CAN/DAISYbus/terminal.

FIG. 1D is a schematic perspective, enlarged view of the plug 15A (forexample, a DI plug) showing that the plug 15A shown in this figurecomprises a lock mechanism 150A, through which the cable connections canbe inserted into the plug 15A in particular from the side.

FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective detail of the herein describedtapping apparatus 100 once again, although the current tapping apparatus3 according to the invention is now shown, which comprises slidingcontact elements 31 for collecting electrical energy from the busbar 1,the current tapping apparatus 3 being rigidly connected to theconnection housing 10.

Furthermore, the sliding contact elements 31 are divided into a total ofthree sliding contact groups 310A, 3108 and 310C.

The sliding contact group 310A taps 24 V, the sliding contact group 3108taps 48 V, and the sliding contact group 310C is the GND earthconnection. Here it can be seen that a further sliding contact element328 is also a 48 V sliding contact for enlarging the contact surface sothat, on account of the higher power requirement, two motors can besufficiently supplied with current at the same time.

In addition, all the sliding contact groups (48 V, GND, 24 V) arebridged on the base support 10A.

FIG. 28 is a schematic rear view of the tapping apparatus 100 showninteralia in FIG. 1C. As already indicated in FIG. 1C, a combi clip 20can be seen, which is clipped onto the outer periphery of the connectionhousing 10 at the rear and from the outside by means of clip elementswhich are present, and therefore the sliding contact elements 31 arelocated in a thus formed cavity such that the busbar 1 is laid betweenthe combi clip 20 and the sliding contact elements 31.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the herein described tappingapparatus 100 according to preceding FIG. 1A to 28, it being possible tosee that the base support 10A is fastened to a lower control circuitboard 100A by means of a circuit board fastener 16.

The same also applies to the upper control circuit board 100A, which isfastened to the base support 10A by means of a further circuit boardfastener 16.The circuit board fasteners may be in the form of pinheaders. Said pin headers may be soldered in corresponding holes in thecontrol circuit boards 100A.

In particular, it can thus be ensured that the control circuit boards100A are able to withstand at least 40 N tensile and lifting forces, thetapping device 2 being unplugged and plugged in at least ten timeswithout damage to the material.

The light guide 17 already shown in FIG. 1A can be seen in FIG. 4, againin a schematic perspective view.

FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of a tapping apparatus system 1000 describedherein, the individual tapping apparatuses 100, as shown in theabove-mentioned figures, being arranged so as to be connected in series,though at least one after the other, by means of a connection apparatus7, which is in the form of a connection sheet in the present case.

FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view of the series arrangement of theindividual tapping apparatuses 100 once again, for example in adirection of travel 200, it being possible in this case to once againsee the combi clip 20 of each tapping apparatus 100.

The connection housing 1O may be in the shape of a cuboid, having edgelengths of a width of the connection housing 1o of from at least 40 mmto at most 70 mm, of a height of at least 80 mm and at most 120 mm. andof a depth of at least 20 mm and at most 50 mm.

FIG. 6 shows a structure in principle and the circuitry of theindividual control circuit boards 100A, in particular of the individualcontrollers of the control circuit boards 100A.

It can be seen that the individual controllers are connected in seriesby means of daisy chains 21A, 218, 21C. In particular, it can also beseen that a terminal 22A (CAN H terminal), a terminal 228 (Daisy 1terminal) and a terminal 22C (CAN L terminal) are present, and aterminal system 220 therefore framed by dashed lines is formed.

Said terminal system 220 is associated with one of the control circuitboards 100A and/or arranged thereon, while a further terminal system 230is associated with the other control circuit board 100A. The terminalsystem 230 structured in the same way as the terminal system 220 and issimilarly electrically conductively connected to the other controlcircuit board 100A only. In this respect, the terminal system 230 alsocomprises a plug 23A (CAN L terminal), a plug 238 (Daisy 2 terminal) anda plug 23C (CAN H terminal).

The respective plugs 15A, which are designed as the E plugs in thepresent embodiment, can also be seen. The plugs 15B, which are designedas the upper plugs, can also be seen.

In addition, electrical transmission and/or information connections 25A(CAN High connections) and 256 (CAN low connection) are shown.

The plugs 158 are therefore digital output plugs which, for example,each comprise three contacts to which a voltage of 24 V is or can beapplied.

The plugs 15A are DI plugs to which 24 V and/or 48 V can be selectivelyapplied.

FIG. 7 shows basic information flow diagrams which show a voltagepick-up from a 24 V line of the busbar 1 and from a 48 V line of thebusbar 1. In the case of the 24 V voltage pick-up, both the DI plugs andthe DO plugs are line-connected to the 24 V pick-up, while only a DIplug is connected to the 48 V pick-up.

In any case, the individual tapping apparatuses 100 are preferablyinterconnected in an identical manner.

The invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments. Onthe contrary, the invention covers each novel feature and anycombination of features, also including in particular any combination ofthe claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is notexplicitly mentioned in the claims or the embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 busbar-   2 tapping device-   3 current tapping apparatus-   7 connection apparatus-   10 connection housing-   10A base support-   DI 1 plug-   DI 2 plug-   15A plug-   15A1 plug-   15A2 plug-   15B plug-   15C plug-   15C1 plug-   15C2 plug-   15D plug-   16 circuit board fastener-   17 light guide-   17A plug-   17B plug-   20 comb I clip-   21A daisy chain-   21B daisy chain-   21C daisy chain-   22A CANH terminal-   22B Daisy 1 terminal-   22C CANL terminal-   23A CANL terminal-   23B Daisy 2 terminal-   25A transmission and/or information connections (CAN High    connection)-   25B transmission and/or information connections (CAN Low connection)-   31 sliding contact elements-   31A first number of contact elements-   31B second number of contact elements-   32B further sliding contact element-   71 connection sheet-   100 tapping apparatus-   100A control circuit board-   150A lock mechanism-   200 direction of travel-   220 terminal system-   230 terminal system-   310A sliding contact group-   310B sliding contact group-   310C sliding contact group-   1000 tapping apparatus system

I claim:
 1. A tapping apparatus (100) for transmitting electrical energyfrom a fixed busbar (1) to a tapping device (2) which can be moved alongthe busbar (1) or is also spatially fixed, said tapping apparatuscomprising: at least one connection housing (10), the busbar (1) beingmechanically connected or connectable to the tapping device (2) by meansof the connection housing (10), a current tapping apparatus (3) whichcomprises sliding contact elements (31) for collecting electrical energyfrom the busbar (1), the current tapping apparatus (3) beingmechanically rigidly connected to the connection housing (10), andcharacterized in that the connection housing (10) comprises at least onebase support (10A), on which at least two control circuit boards (100A)are mounted and arranged one above the other, stacked in a directionperpendicular to a direction of travel (220).
 2. The tapping apparatus(100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two control circuitboards (100A) alone form the base support (10A).
 3. The tappingapparatus (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the controlcircuit boards (100A) are each designed and intended to drive at leastone electric motor and/or to control said electric motor in aclosed-loop and/or open-loop manner.
 4. The tapping apparatus (100)according to claim 1, characterized in that the control circuit boards(100A) have at least one voltage pick-up of +24 V and/or +48 V.
 5. Thetapping apparatus (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that thesliding contact elements (31) are formed by a first number of firstcontact elements (310A) for supplying power at at least one firstvoltage of one of the control circuit boards (100A), and by a secondnumber of contact elements (310B) for supplying power at least onesecond voltage of another control circuit board (100A), at least twocontact element groups thus being formed, the individual contactelements (310A, 310B) in each group being arranged one after the otherin a direction of travel (220) of the connection housing (10), and eachgroup separately supplying a control circuit board (100A) uniquelyassigned thereto with electrical power, and contact elements (310C)being formed as an earth connection (GND terminal) between the contactelements (310A) and the contact elements (310B) in a directionperpendicular to the direction of travel (220).
 6. The tapping apparatus(100) according to preceding claim 5, characterized in that the currenttapping apparatus (3) comprises at least one further sliding contactelement (32A), it being possible to supply at least one of the controlcircuit boards (100A) with electrical power by means of said furthersliding contact element (32A).
 7. The tapping apparatus (100) accordingto preceding claim 6, characterized in that a further sliding contactelement (31B) is arranged between two of the sliding contact elements(31) of the contact elements (310A) in the direction of travel.
 8. Thetapping apparatus (100) according to preceding claim 5, characterized inthat the contact elements (310B) are 48 V contact terminals, and thecontact elements (310A) are 24 V contact terminals.
 9. A tappingapparatus system (1000) for transmitting electrical energy from aspatially fixed, busbar (1) to a tapping device (2) which can be movedalong the bus-bar (1) or is also spatially fixed, characterized in thatat least two tapping apparatuses (100) are arranged one after the otheron a connection apparatus (7) along the bus-bar (1).
 10. The tappingapparatus system (1000) according to preceding claim 9, characterized inthat the connection apparatus (7) is in the form of a connection sheet(71).